Independence Day

As many of you know, my mister is a history nut. I don’t mean your average sunflower seed sized nut. Nooo siree, it’s way bigger. More like a planet sized walnut. So, it would only figure that the fourth around here isn’t just about the red, white and blue. Nope, it’s history lessons of the founding fathers that gave this country her firm foundation, and well, her name.

So, to pay homage this post is dedicated to Mr. Adams, Mr. George Washington, Mr. Thomas Jefferson, and the other 53 Declaration signers (in no particular order) who seemed like rebels of their day for their “outlandish” idea of fighting for America's independence from Britain. I know, crazy, right?! Fools of their day, maybe, but heroes of today. 

{Think of how different life would be had they not been the rebels with a cause they were, “Long dresses, big wigs and perhaps a British accent…maybe still no free trade and impeding taxes. Thanks to them, we will never know.} :)

Also, a big thanks goes out to all the soldiers of yesterday who bravely fought for independence that seemed so foreign, but knew in their heart it was right. And also for those that currently fight for our freedom. Yesterday it was independence and today it’s freedom; same cause, different word.

Matt will tell you that this day also serves as a memorial of Mr. Thomas Jefferson and Mr. John Adams- who were dear friends, lost touch, then rekindled their friendship via letters. Both passed away on this very day in 1826 (on the 50th Anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independency) only hours apart and in completely different cities. They were the last 2 of the founding fathers and when Mr. John Adams was about to pass he muttered his final words, “Thomas Jefferson still survives”, he was unaware that Mr. Thomas Jefferson had passed away only hours before. They were always connected by virtue and by heart, til the end.

Matt wondered what the founding fathers would think of all the commercialization of the fourth of July with fireworks and whatnot, but he found his answer when we were watching a documentary. Mr. John Adams actually wanted this day to be memorialized with “Pomp and Circumstance”! So, go celebrate- watch some fireworks, roast some wienies and drink one for the founding fathers who made all this possible! Mak’em proud!

Happy birthday, America!

**Red text are Matt's official historical recollections/corrections! ;)

P.S.Exactly 4 years ago, I met my love. Here's one of our first official photos together- I love you babe!

Heisel Rules!

I'll wear white & you'll wear out the words I love you

He stole my heart, so on June 9, 2012 I stole his name. As we honeymooned on the white sandy beaches of Florida, we got to reflect on all the new wonderful memories that we made on our wedding day! To sum it up in one word would be hard, but spectacular comes to mind.

I had dreamed up this image of a beautifully elegant, yet simple wedding day complete with:
1. a barn,

2. simple, rustic charm,

3. DIY projects galore

4. a handsome groom,

5. and most importantly, all the love of family that 2 people could ask for.

You all made our day so very special. We are so so blessed to be surrounded by people that love and support us. My favorite part was during our vows when we requested Pastor Don to include each of you to say 'I do' along with us, to offer your unending love and support for us, all the days of our lives. I'm humbled, truly humbled.

So, as the song goes, "I'll wear white and you'll wear out the words, "I love you"" we did just that, on a beautiful June evening, with all of our favorite people as witnesses. We love you more than words can say!

Here's to many more years as two families join together. I'm so proud to be a part of your family! As the newest member of the Heisel family, I can now honestly say, Heisel RULES! :) {Big hugs}

the beginning.

Photo credits- Bonita Buckley Photography. Thanks for capturing our special day so beautifully. 

Good food, good friends, great time!

This last weekend my amazing aunt Amanda and super awesome future sis in law Courtney threw a bridal shower for me in Illinois. It was hosted at this adorable tea room complete with handmade decor by Amanda. My favorite decor item was the napkin that was sweetly embroidered with, 'I love you to the moon and back' which is what I would tell Matt when he was in Afghanistan. Don't even get me started on how caauuute the invites were! Compliments of Courtney!

I had such a great time meeting a few of Matt's aunts that I hadn't met prior and a great, great friend of his mom's. I always enjoy time with great ladies, but these ladies are super special as I will be joining their circle of family in June, and I couldn't be more honored.

Thank you ladies, for your support and kindness. I am so grateful to be surrounded by such caring people. A special thanks to Amanda and Courtney for all their hard work and efforts in making this special day so much more special than even I could have imagined. I love you girls!

Can't wait to see my Chattanooga friends in just a couple of weeks! :)

{future} Heisel Rules!

Oh For the Love of DIY

So, anyone that knows me (closely) knows that I am DIYer to my core. I'm talking all the way to my DNA. Not because I'm too cheap, but because I get so much satisfaction when I see something that I made. It's a high, but a safe one, and one that lasts longer than any other! ;)

This weekend was no exception on the DIY front. I finished 2 very large (time consuming) wedding projects over the weekend and I'm thrilled! Just as excited to see them done as I was to start them. Simply because they felt never ending. Those who know me also know that I am not great with decision when given too many options. I freeze up and it never gets completed. But these projects, they came with another layer of excitement as they will make their debut at my wedding this June!

Here's the long awaited chandeliers, countem...one aaaaand 2! Yep, the sweetie let me err gave me permission umm highly encouraged another chandy once the first was completed! The second was my creation nearly from scratch! I'm so lucky right? ;) Love you, babe! hehe What in the world am I gonna do with all these chandy's when the wedding is over?! :)

Their temporary home, humbly hung above Matt's beloved 4wheeler. I personally think it's  a nice touch! ha!

The next 2-month project was my brooch bouquet. This made its first appearance in my mind late last year. So, the next few months would find me collecting brooches, earrings, rings, basically anything that I could glue or wrap a wire on/around. It's only after countless hours on this baby that I can fully appreciate why they go for hundreds $!

I'm thinking it was very much worth it! I LOVE it! The funniest part is when I tell people that my bouquet is made of brooches, I get this comment, "Wow that's gonna be heavy and hurt someone when you throw it!" haha I've got too much time wrapped up in it to throw it! Oh, and I guess I wouldn't want anyone to get hurt either! ;) 

Hope you all had a fab-tastic weekend full of DIY goodness!

Heisel Rules!

An Epic Adventure

Well, we gave this adventure our very best shot and I wouldn't have done anything different. No regrets! We did what we set out to do and that was to qualify in the Top 5!!! You all have really amazed us throughout this whole process of voting everyday and just giving us some amazing support! We got over 1700 votes! Woohoo!!

With just a wee bit of disappointment, I must announce that we did not win the Q Wedding Giveaway. But that's ok because even though we didn't take home the ultimate prize package, we are still winners in each other's eyes and heart, and that is ok by us!

Thank you all so so much! We are so blessed to have amazing family and friends! We are so fulfilled in life and we don't need a contest to prove that! Sooo, the show must go on! Back to the real wedding planning! :) Business as usual!

Heisel Rules!

Roller Coaster of Love!

What a roller coaster ride!! We had soo many ups and downs throughout this whole contest, too many to count. But last night at 11:59pm central time when we refreshed that voting page for the final time to reveal that our vote count was good enough, it was all worth it right then! We ended with a whopping 1,720 votes!! I am in awe!

Check out the winner's circle here: http://q108.com/2012-Q-Wedding-Finalist-4/12127208

It's been especially interesting seeing Matt transform throughout this contest process. (He's prolly gonna get me for talking about this... it'll be our secret...sshhhh!) He went from laid back, cool 'it's whatever' in the beginning to 'We'll get em baby' and '5th place just isn't good enough!' in the end. Sitting there last night with him by my side solidified to me that he will always be there to support me. No matter what it is- no matter if it's a silly contest that we've worked weeks on, not matter if he has to wake up at 4:00am and the contest doesn't end til midnight, no matter if it's cathedral type windows that I've dreamed of for my wedding; he's always there for me. You know, there's always a lesson that can be learned from any situation. This one is: if we are willing to work this hard on a wedding contest, imagine how hard we will work for the actual marriage. I know, chill bumps. ;)

While still on the winning high, I just wanna take a moment to say thanks for putting up with our my incessant texts, emails, facebook posts, etc for the last 2 weeks! I haven't wanted anything this much in a long time, well actually, not since I met my mister nearly 4 years go! It just goes to show that family and friends always show up, especially in the 11th hour! You've got our backs and you've more than proven that. So, thank you. Really, thank you!

What's next you ask? Weeeelll, a panel of 6 judges will each rank us 1-5, and using a point system, they will determine the winner. For example, we could be #1 to one judge and then #3 to another. It seems confusing, but whatever works for them I suppose. Q108 will announce the winner on the Gretchen and Ryan morning show this Friday! I'll be listening! Listen for the loud shriek if we win! Whether we win or lose, though, we've still got each other and the show will go on!

Fingers crossed and happy thoughts!

Heisel Rules!

HOLY FREAK OUT MODE!

It's the bottom of the 9th, bases loaded, and we step up to bat! Adrenaline raring, heart pumping, sweat dripping...feels like you are going 100 miles an hour when really you are standing still. Step up, it's time to bat! The question is - will we hit a home run or strike-out at the last minute? 

It's THE LAST DAY TO VOTE!! All the anxiety, all the worry, all the stress and wondering comes.down.to.this. It's all over at 11:59pm Central time. Only YOU can help us win. How, you say? By voting! Get your vote in, call your friends and family get some more votes! Let's keep our death grip on the top 5 like we have all week!! Let's do this thing! (You can click on the picture to the right that says Vote For Me to access the voting site)


Stats: 
1st place - 1627
2nd place - 1565
3rd place - 1501
4th place - 1484
5th place - 1479 (us)
6th place - 1392 (they only take top 5, but wanted to show how close it is!!)
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As we near the end of the contest, I can't help but feel proud of all the countless hours that went in to collecting votes, talking to new people and crunching numbers day after day. More than anything, I get to walk away from this proud that each vote represents more than a number, it's a token of love and support from people near and dear, and those by happenstance, that believe in us. This is the love that will last all of time. Thank you all for being a part of that! Our sincerest appreciation goes out to all of you. Our hearts are full! 

God bless.

Heisel rules!